Springboks add historic Test against Portugal to 2024 programme
The Springboks have added a Test against Portugal to their 2024 Test schedule with the one-off match set to follow the series against Ireland.
The Springboks have added a Test against Portugal to their 2024 Test schedule with the one-off match set to follow the two-match series against Ireland.
The team directed by Rassie Erasmus will play Portugal (location TBC) on 20 July 20 after facing Ireland in Pretoria and Durban on 6 July and 13 July 2024.
SPRINGBOKS ADD HISTORIC TEST AGAINST PORTUGAL
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When the Springboks play Ireland at Loftus Versfeld, they will have resumed play after a 252-day break. A week later, on their first trip to South Africa in eight years, the Six Nations winners reassemble at Kings Park.
The Springboks prevailed 2-1 in the 2016 series, but Ireland has since won all three encounters (and five of the previous seven) between the two sides, most recently in a thrilling 13-8 triumph in Marseille during the Rugby World Cup pool stage.
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NEW GROUND
A week later, on 20 July, the Springboks will take on Portugal in their first Test match. Portugal made a lasting impression at the Rugby World Cup by thrillingly drawing with Georgia and then defeating Fiji 24-23 in their last group encounter.
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As part of the Rugby Championship, fellow World Cup finalists New Zealand will make a return in August and September for a pair of Rugby Championship Tests. For the first time since 2009, the Boks will be looking to defeat the All Blacks three times in a row on 31 August.
THE SPRINGBOKS’ HOME TEST SCHEDULE FOR 2024
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1. Saturday, July 6: Springboks v Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
2. Saturday, July 13: Springboks v Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
3. Saturday, July 20: Springboks v Portugal (venue TBC)
4. Saturday, August 31: Springboks v New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
5. Saturday, September 7: Boks v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
6. Saturday, September 28: Boks v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
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